Job 11

1 Then Zophar the Naamathite answered and said,

Then answered Zophar the Naamathite, and said,

2 “Should not such a multitude of words be answered? Should this man, so full of talk, be believed?

Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified?

3 Should your boasting make others remain silent? When you mock, will no one make you feel ashamed?

Should your lies make men hold their peace? and when you mock, shall no man make you ashamed?

4 For you say to God, 'My beliefs are pure, I am blameless in your eyes.'

For you have said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in your eyes.

5 But, oh, that God would speak and open his lips against you;

But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against you;

6 that he would show you the secrets of wisdom! For he is great in understanding. Know then that God demands from you less than your iniquity deserves.

And that he would show you the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacts of you less than your iniquity deserves.

7 Can you understand God by searching for him? Can you comprehend the Almighty perfectly?

Can you by searching find out God? can you find out the Almighty unto perfection?

8 The matter is as high as heaven; what can you do? It is deeper than Sheol; what can you know? (Sheol h7585)

It is as high as heaven; what can you do? deeper than hell; what can you know? (Sheol h7585)

9 Its measure is longer than the earth, and wider than the sea.

The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

10 If he passes through and shuts anyone up, if he calls anyone to judgment, then who can stop him?

If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him?

11 For he knows false people; when he sees iniquity, does he not notice it?

For he knows vain men: he sees wickedness also; will he not then consider it?

12 But foolish people have no understanding; they will get it when a wild donkey gives birth to a man.

For vain men would be wise, though man be born like a wild ass's colt.

13 But suppose that you had set your heart right and had reached out with your hands toward God;

If you prepare your heart, and stretch out your hands toward him;

14 suppose that iniquity were in your hand, but that then you put it far away from you, and did not let unrighteousness live in your tents.

If iniquity be in your hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in your tabernacles.

15 Then you would certainly lift up your face without a sign of shame; indeed, you would be steadfast and would not fear.

For then shall you lift up your face without spot; yea, you shall be steadfast, and shall not fear:

16 You would forget your misery; you would remember it only like waters that have flowed away.

Because you shall forget your misery, and remember it as waters that pass away:

17 Your life would be brighter than the noonday; though there were darkness, it would become like the morning.

And your age shall be clearer than the noonday: you shall shine forth, you shall be as the morning.

18 You would be secure because there is hope; indeed, you would find safety about you and would take your rest in safety.

And you shall be secure, because there is hope; yea, you shall dig about you, and you shall take your rest in safety.

19 Also you would lie down in rest, and none would make you afraid; indeed, many would seek your favor.

Also you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto you.

20 But the eyes of wicked people will fail; they will have no way to flee; their only hope will be a last gasp of life.”

But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the spirit.